Chapter - 166 Repentance of the Haughty Dragon (19) (1/2)

Huang Rong thought for a moment. Then she gave the dagger back to Mu Nianci.

”Elder sister, let me return this to you,” Huang Rong said.

Mu Nianci did not take it.

”Keep it - this is your brother Jing's possession,” she said. ”His name is carved there on the hilt. With it everyday, I …” She paused. ”If I should carry it everyday, it wouldn't be very good.”

Huang Rong lovingly took the dagger and stowed it near her bosom.

”Elder sister, you are truly good,” she said.

After receiving the valuable dagger, Huang Rong was momentarily distracted from her thoughts.

”Elder sister, what business has drawn you to the South alone?” Huang Rong asked. ”Maybe little sister can help you?”

Mu Nianci blushed and lowered her head.

”I don't have any pressing matters at hand,” she said.

”In that case, I will take you to see Master Hong,” Huang Rong said.

Mu Nianci felt joy.

”Master Hong is here?” she said.

Huang Rong nodded before grasping Mu Nianci's hand and pulling her up. Suddenly, she heard a sound among the branches above. A piece of bark fell to the ground. In the distance, they could see one person's shadow jumping happily from locust tree to locust tree. After a while, they could tell it was Hong Qicong.

Huang Rong picked up the bark and saw characters carved onto its surface with a needle.

”Two dolls like this are very good,” she read. ”But if Rong-er deliberately causes trouble again, then Qicong will hit your eldest child on the ear.” The bark was not signed at the bottom. Instead, a gourd was carved in its place.

Huang Rong knew Qicong carved the bark and couldn't help blushing. She knew Qicong had observed the whole fight and knew all about the particulars of the oath she wanted Mu Nianci to swear. Both people had entered the locust grove and did not even notice Hong Qicong. The pair walked hand-in-hand back to the inn.

Guo Jing, who was sitting inside after he finished practicing, was shocked to see Mu Nianci. He quickly said, ”Sister Mu, did you see my masters?”

”Your respective masters and I left the capital together and went south to Shandong,” she said. ”We split up there, and I have not seen them since.”

”Are my masters well?” Guo Jing said.

”Be at ease, brother Guo,” Mu Nianci said with a smile. ”They are not angry with you.”